Students with disabilities

Students with disabilities (including physical, learning, developmental, intellectual, emotional and sensory disabilities) are more likely to be bullied.

Many factors, such as differences in learning support needs, physical vulnerability, social skills challenges and intolerant social environments can increase the risk of bullying.

An inclusive school culture that values diversity will greatly reduce the risk of students with disabilities experiencing bullying.

Students with disabilities views

See Me, Hear Me

Students with disabilities talk about how bullying has affected their lives

Questions for Boards of Trustees, principals, senior leaders and teachers

• Have we considered how our students with disabilities might be more vulnerable to bullying?
• Have we got individualised plans in place to enable our students with disabilities to respond to bullying appropriately?
• Are our bullying prevention policies and processes bullying inclusive enough? Do we consider individual needs and circumstances when dealing with bullying?
• Are we managing assistive technologies in an inclusive way?

Useful links to resources and reseach

Parents and whānau at risk of bullying

Parents and whānau of children with disabilities play a key role in developing effective individualised approaches to bullying. They will know their child’s strengths and needs and will be able to help reinforce strategies their child can use to prevent and respond to any bullying that may occur.